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New Town Manager Hired
Glasgow Town Council last month approved a budget for the 2024/2025 fiscal year that shows a 6 percent overall increase over this past year’s budget and features a 3 percent pay increase for town employees.
Town residents will be paying a little more for utilities in the coming year and will notice a change in the fee structure.
The budget drops the $4.50 refuse collection fee but incorporates that into the water and sewer fees that residents and businesses pay. Then the water and sewer rate is being increased slightly on top of that. Overall, the minimum rate going up by 5 percent for 70 percent of the users.
The total budget for the year is $810,164.
The budget was approved following a public hearing on the budget during the June 11 meeting.
Some citizens expressed concern about being able to pay the proposed increase in their utility bill, especially elderly people on fixed income.
There will be a public hearing on July 9 at 7 p.m. in the meeting room of the Glasgow Public Library to allow the public to comment on (1) an ordinance that removes the utility rate structure from the town code, and deletes the refuse fee; and (2) a resolution establishing the increased utility rates and appropriating funding for the FY25 town budget.
Interim Town Manager Jon Ellestad spent hours working on the budget which is several pages of detailed figures. It was noted that Glasgow’s utility bill is still lower than surrounding communities.
-In other business, Ellestad introduced newly hired Town Manager Allyson Finchum. She is the first female town manager for the town of Glasgow. Her official start date is July 3.
Council approved moving the position of town manager from full to part-time status.
Ellestad also introduced the newly hired administrative assistant, Ashley Kerr, to Council.
The town’s 2003 International dump truck was found to have significant rust which makes it unsafe to use. They will try to find a used bed to swap out, or remove all the rusted areas and replace it new which could cost around $10,000. As is the truck is unusable.
There has been a delay in moving the batteau to Glasgow, as Ellestad has been unable to contact the person who is to move it.
There is also an issue with the title to the entire parcel of land being sold to Dollar General, which will hopefully be resolved soon.
The first music event was held on June 15 with The Late Night Stumblers at Locher Pavilion. A smaller than usual crowd attended, but there were several events happening in and around the area on the same night.
It was reported by the Farmers’ Market manager, Carolyn Bradley, that they have 18 registered vendors, and averaged four vendors in May and three in June. This is expected to increase when the local gardens begin to produce veggies and locals bring them to the market to sell.
During the public comment time there were concerns expressed about downed trees in uptown Glasgow from recent storms that needed to be removed. Some were blocking the alley. Councilwoman Lisa Rogers asked these folks to call Town Hall to report these issues and get on a list so they have a written report.
Someone also expressed a desire to see some playground equipment suited for special needs children in the playground at the ball field, and the possibility of removing or at least relocating the old tall sliding board that was from the old elementary school era.
In Council comments, Lisa Rogers suggested starting a place to help needy families with kids clothes, school supplies, etc. Natalie Harris asked about having an ordinance about dogs in town.
